RE: splitting the pelvis
I pop the pelvis with a knife also. Th spot in the middle of the ridge of the pelvis is the H-bone. Works on elk also even with the size that they are. Bucks and bulls are a little more solid than does and cows, but it will still pop. I like to cut the rear end out and pop the pelvis before I open up the skin on the belly. It makes the job a little cleaner and easier.